Read Clay Board of Education: Special Workshop

The Red Clay Consolidated School District Board of Education held a special workshop on July 21, 2026, primarily to discuss the process for hiring a permanent superintendent. The board reviewed past practices, including their previous engagement with the University of Delaware without an RFP process, which cost approximately $50,000. They debated whether to proceed with a direct appointment, issue a request for proposals (RFP) to select a search firm, or engage the community first to define the desired superintendent qualities. The board discussed the pros and cons of a comprehensive RFP process, community engagement strategies such as town halls and surveys, and the timeline implications, noting that a full RFP process could take several months. A motion was made and passed to hold community town halls on July 29 and 30, 2026, to gather input on the superintendent search process. The board agreed that a summary of community feedback would be presented at the August meeting to inform the decision on whether to proceed with an RFP or direct appointment. The discussion emphasized transparency, community involvement, and balancing timeliness with thoroughness in the hiring process.